Ring of Truth

Prosperity is a blessing from God. All that you have comes from God! Stop and think about it…did you have to “think” about taking that last breath? How about your heart…did you think about making it beat? No! This is all a gift from God. Today, Pastor Dan reminds us that we need to be very careful WHEN God blesses our lives with prosperity. We need to remember that all we have comes from Him and use all His blessings to further His kingdom here on earth.

I’ve been married for a little over twenty-five years. I’m so thankful for that. And yet, if you’re married and listening today, you know that marriage takes work. Imagine if you only told your spouse you loved them once a month, or worse yet, never. Would that lead to a healthy relationship? Or what if you ONLY “said” you loved your spouse, but you never did anything to support those words? That wouldn’t work either. You’ll learn today that love is a VERB…it’s action…it’s DOING. Today, Pastor Dan says that God expects us to obey Him as a response to His love for us.

I know that when the check engine light comes on in my car, there’s something wrong. But, fixing that problem???…that’s a whole other thing!!! I don’t know the first thing about mechanics. Knowing is only part of the equation. The Bible is a book full of commands and promises for obedience. As Pastor Dan teaches through Deuteronomy six, we’ll learn that the blessings and promises of God found in the Bible are only accessed BY obedience. It’s not enough to“know” the Bible. I have to DO something. I must obey.

Nowadays, whenever I go into a public space and see children disrespecting their parents or causing a ruckus, I always feel so grateful for the way I was raised. I have always learned to respect my parents and others' well-being in public. In today’s message, Pastor Dan emphasizes the commandment to honor your mother and father. Respect starts with the parents, who teach it to kids, who then grow into adulthood. Parenting is hard, but the harder you work earlier on, the easier it becomes later in life for you.

The one thing most of us share with our families is our genetics. Our genetics are what make families look like… well… family. When one family member has brown hair, that person’s child will most likely have brown hair as well. In today’s message, Pastor Dan tells you that when you accept Christ, blessings will be passed down generation to generation. So that your kids will have the same benefits. If your family hasn’t accepted Christ, that’s okay! You still have the opportunity to choose Him and make Him Lord!

Have you ever been in a situation where you got SO embarrassed that you didn’t want to ever go back again? It’s truly so humiliating to go back to a place where all you felt was shame. Have you felt that way with God? In today’s message, Pastor Dan tells you that even if you’re afraid to go back to church from shame or guilt, remember that you will ALWAYS be welcomed back home by Him. He will never leave you, no matter how far you run. You will be shown mercy and love EVERY time you come back.

Whenever you make an omelet, you break open a few eggs. You might throw in some crushed garlic or cut up onions. There may even be some bacon bits fresh off the heat, or spinach that’s been bruised and wilted. Each ingredient has been through it, haven’t they? Today, Pastor Dan teaches that your life may be full of ingredients of brokenness. You may have been crushed or bruised. However, when you’re feeling scrambled, God is ready to form you into something new and beautiful, leaning into your brokenness.

Not many people realize that the time of day when they are most dehydrated is right when they wake up. Our consciousness skips from evening to morning, but our bodies have gone eight hours without a drop. In today’s message, Pastor Dan teaches the importance of being hydrated by the Living Water first thing in the morning. He teaches that, as a parent, you need to make sure your children’s thirst is quenched just as much as yours. When you start the day hydrated, everything will change.

“I'm starting with the man in the mirror. I'm asking him to change his ways. No message could have been any clearer. If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change.” In today’s message, Pastor Dan teaches that, like the words to this popular Michael Jackson song, we often stand in the way of change in our own lives, becoming our own worst enemy. If you want to see your relationship with Jesus grow, don’t let the man in the mirror be the one who smothers the flame. 

It’s amazing the different family dynamics we can see around us. Some spouses are absolutely in love after 58 years of marriage, and others resent each other after only two. When we begin to model our lives after that of Christ, we begin to love others in the same way Christ does, leading to relationships that flourish and last. In today’s message, Pastor Dan teaches that if you seek God, your life will get better… not easier, but better. When you do, you will become more patient, gentle, kind, loving, and more.

People often say history repeats itself. I mean, think about it… Kingdoms rise and fall. Celebrities come and go. Plagues sweep through populations, and people set monumental records. New inventions completely rattle society, and the deaths of prominent figures cause collective mourning. In today’s message, Pastor Dan teaches that God has a way of using the past to equip you for the future. When you are faced with a trial, think back to a time God has helped you in the past, and know He can do it again.

After Thomas Edison had famously invented the lightbulb, he said the following: “I have not failed, I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Edison didn’t let his past hinder him. Instead, he let his past inform him. Today, Pastor Dan challenges you to do the same. How has God been faithful to your past and delivered you from hard times? Do you think He could do it again? God will use your past to shape and mold you, helping you to overcome future challenges while relying on His strength.

Do you believe in the Word of God? Was God telling the truth when God told Abraham and Sarah they’d have children at such an old age? Do you think that a lowly shepherd boy became king of Israel? In today’s message, Pastor Dan teaches that the Bible is full of promises that God has fulfilled. So, if that’s the case, do you believe God when He says you are loved? Do you trust Him when He says you are a coheir with Christ? Could He possibly be telling the truth when He says that you are free from your sins?

The world is full of all kinds of people… some genuinely nice, helpful people, and others who just want to see people get hurt and do horrific things. However, even those evil people are capable of doing a good deed now and then. In today’s message, Pastor Dan teaches that if those who despise the ways of God are able to demonstrate things such as compassion and kindness, then how much more are you able to live according to the ways that God has called you to live? How can you reflect Christ?

“He who kneels the most, stands the best.” … “If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of itself.” … “The Bible was not given for our information but for our transformation.” … These words of D.L. Moody speak volumes about his character and passion for God. In today’s message, Pastor Dan teaches that if you want to be remembered for your faith, then have a faith that kneels often and a character that is worthy of a good reputation. Let your faith transform you.

Despite witnessing so many miracles right before their eyes, the Israelites continued to have their doubts about God. Moses encouraged them to reflect on their lives and acknowledge how God had been present in every circumstance. Every now and then, we might overlook just how amazing God has been in our lives and how He has pulled us through countless tough spots. Yet, we often tend to forget about it. Today, Pastor Dan is here to give you a little nudge and remind you that God is always with you!

In a moment of grumbling and complaints from the Israelites, Moses stepped up to remind them of God's promise, shining a light on the land that was destined for them. He showed, without a doubt, that God had fulfilled His promise to His people. Perhaps you find yourself in a situation reminiscent of the Israelites, pondering why life seems to be stuck in a rut and not improving. Hey there! Today, Pastor Dan is here to share a little reminder about putting your full trust in God’s promises!

Have you ever wondered why it took the Israelites so long to finally enter the promised land? Well, in theory, it was supposed to only take them a few days. But they chose to go their own way, ignoring God's plan and instructions, which led them to stray from the path they were meant to follow. Just like the Israelites, you might find yourself leaning more on the world than on God. Today, Pastor Dan invites you to lean into the idea of trusting in God’s plan, reminding you that it’s truly perfect!

Living life to God’s perfect standard is like walking on a tightrope every single day of your life. Even the slightest misstep can cause you to miss the mark, and there is no getting back on the rope once you fall. The fact is that we cannot live a perfect life on our own. But Pastor Dan reminds us that when we accept Jesus’ gift of salvation, we are no longer judged by our own merits! We are judged by Jesus’ merits, a man who lived a truly perfect, sinless life, and we are invited into the Father’s embrace!

All it takes is one tiny mistake to make an entire house of cards collapse. And once Adam and Eve committed the first sin in human history, the curse of that sin passed on to every human being who would come after them. But in today’s message, Pastor Dan reminds us that Jesus came to this world to undo the curse of sin that we inherited from Adam. Just as one action condemned us all in sin, one action by Jesus allowed us to return to our original place in God’s Kingdom!

The story of Jesus isn’t just meant to be read on its own. Instead, the coming of Jesus is the culmination of the story that started with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Jesus’ death reversed the curse of sin that started with Adam and Eve. In today’s message, Pastor Dan reminds you to read the entire Bible. You can’t just read the Gospels and call it good. In order to fully understand what Jesus has done for the human race, you have to look at the whole story: beginning, middle, and end.  

When you write a check, what are the three things you need to do for it to be valid? You need to write the name of the recipient, followed by the amount. Finally, you sign the check to authorize the transaction. Well, Pastor Dan teaches you today that without Jesus’ resurrection, the doctrine of salvation is like a check that isn’t signed. You can take it to the bank if you’d like, but you won’t get anything for it. The death and resurrection of Jesus certified His gift of salvation. It’s your ticket to eternal life!

In algebra, you learn that if you are working with an equation, the changes you make to one side must be made to the other. If you add five to one side, you need to add five to the other to avoid creating a false equation! Well, in today’s message, Pastor Dan teaches you that the resurrection of the dead and the resurrection of Jesus create an equation. If you believe in one, you have to believe in the other! Only a false teacher will try to teach you that only one side of this equation is true.

There are countless people in this world with testimonies of how God transformed their lives. But none of these stories is more famous than the story of the Apostle Paul! Before he served Jesus, he was responsible for hunting down Christians and arresting them. But in today’s message, Pastor Dan reminds us that all of us have done dreadful things in the eyes of the Lord. But God sees through our sinful past and gives us a new opportunity to live for Him. He gives us a second chance!

It wasn’t that long ago that people thought that the sun revolved around the Earth; in fact, it wasn’t until the 16th century that the scientific consensus began to shift the other way. The fact of the matter is that people need to see that things are true to believe in them, and there are few better examples than James, the half-brother of Jesus, refusing to believe in Jesus as the Messiah! Pastor Dan wants you to observe all of the witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection, and how they made a doubter like James believe!

When you lose someone close to you, the pain can be crippling. That person who had such a great influence on your life is all of a sudden gone from this world, and there is a great void in your heart to be filled. Well, Pastor Dan wants to remind you today that, if you and your loved ones follow Jesus, your death in this life isn’t the end of your story. Jesus’ death and resurrection are an example of what you can look forward to, because you will be brought back to life in a new, purified body, just like Jesus!

Holding on to the truth of the Gospel is like a child holding on to an adult’s hand in a crowded environment. Without that safe and guiding hand, you risk getting lost in the chaos around you. Pastor Dan reminds you today that in order to receive the hope of the Gospel in your heart, you need to accept the truth found in God’s Word, repent of your sin, and follow after Jesus! And it’s not just a one-time decision, because you must choose to hold on tight even when the world around you tempts you to let go.

If you were walking around in a world full of sick people, and you had the cure for their disease, wouldn’t you want to share it with as many people as possible? Well, Pastor Dan reminds you today that with the Good News of the Gospel written on your heart, you do have a cure that can be shared with others! The gift of Jesus’ blood frees us from the curse of sin, and Jesus has sent us to go into the world and spread the Good News to every tribe, nation, and tongue! There is still plenty of work to be done!

There is one question that all of us face in this life that shapes the path of our lives for the rest of time: do we believe in Jesus, or do we not? It seems like such a simple question, but it is one that we have to take seriously. In today’s message, Pastor Dan reminds us of the message of the Gospel and the hope it gives us in eternal life in the presence of Jesus, after our time on this Earth has come to an end. But to inherit that eternal life, we have to put our full trust in Jesus and allow Him into our lives!

Today’s society is addicted to convenience. We can have the answer to nearly any question in the world in a matter of seconds, thanks to a simple internet search. But this convenience is an example of something that Jesus never promises to be for us. Pastor Dan teaches us today that when we ask Jesus to do things that He hasn’t promised to do, we only stand to be disappointed. Jesus’ character never changes, and we must learn to wait on His timing and His wisdom.

Have you ever felt true heartbreak before? A moment where you thought you would never emotionally recover? In those darkest moments, it can feel like the entire world is collapsing around you. But in today’s message, Pastor Dan wants you to remember that God is present with you in the moments of heartbreak. He stops the world from crushing you, and He picks you up so that you can keep moving forward. Just like He showed up to comfort the disciples on the road to Emmaus, He will show up for you! 

Have you ever played a game of Jenga, and tried to remove a block you thought would be easy, until you realized that it was holding up the entire tower of blocks? Well, Pastor Dan teaches you today that Jesus’ resurrection is a foundational block in the Christian faith. Without the resurrection, the words of Jesus are just the musings of a dead prophet. If the teachings of Jesus are going to have that transformational influence over your life, you have to believe in His death and resurrection!

It can be difficult to understand why a loving God would allow His children to go to hell. Why does He want people to go through this terrible punishment? Well, in today’s message, Pastor Dan reminds you that God doesn’t send people to hell; they are already headed in that direction! The curse of sin on your life has condemned you to an eternity separated from God, but when Jesus died on the cross, He made a way for you to reverse the course of your life and be reunited with the Father! 

For many people, Easter is a special holiday. It’s a joyous occasion and is often celebrated with bright colors. But did you know that before the first easter was perhaps the darkest day in human history? Good Friday - The day that Jesus went to the cross. In Pastor Dan’s message today, he shares with you about that dark day when your sins and mine were put to death on the cross with Jesus. Literal darkness fell over the earth that day as Jesus took the weight of the world’s sins upon Him… yours included.

I don’t know about you, but if I get attacked even by a mosquito, I’m not going to be quiet about it. Much less if people get physically aggressive towards me. Or even when my reputation is on the line, I’m not going to just stand there and take it. Well, in today’s message, Pastor Dan wants you to know that Jesus went to the cross silently— and willingly because of His love for you. He endured the pain and suffering because He wanted you to be forgiven of your sins and to live with Him in eternity.

The statement, “the debt is paid in full,” truly sticks out to me. Imagine having financial debt, and one day, you find out that it’s fully paid off. It’s an unimaginable relief off your chest! In today’s message, Pastor Dan tells you that Jesus’ death paid YOUR debt from sin. He took your place on the cross and died for YOUR sins. He sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in you during your time on earth, and when your physical body dies, you will be able to go to Heaven with Him. What a sacrifice He has made for you! 

Growing up, a couple of my classmates would never show up to school on Good Friday. Now, I knew that Good Friday was about Jesus’ crucifixion, but I didn’t really see its importance until I grew deeper in my faith. In today’s message, Pastor Dan explains the importance of Good Friday. Good Friday isn’t just about HOW Jesus died, but it’s about WHY He died and how that impacts YOU. Without His sacrifice, you would never be able to spend eternal life with Him. How has Jesus’ sacrifice impacted your life?

What a powerful statement from Pastor Dan. Yes! It’s true! God saw that the world needed a savior, so He sent His one and only son. In today’s message, Pastor Dan says that God saved YOU from your sins through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Sin put Him on the cross, He took YOUR place, so that you can be saved from sin, Satan, and death. Lastly, He made sure that you can spend eternal life in Heaven with Him. Jesus died for you, then resurrected three days later to show His power. What an impactful sacrifice!!

Have you ever done something wrong and blamed it on your sibling? Surely, you’d feel a little guilty for having them take the blame. In today’s message, Pastor Dan talks about Barabbas in the story of Jesus’ crucifixion. Shockingly, you can relate to him. Barabbas was supposed to be killed for his crimes, but instead, Jesus was put on the cross. Much like Barabbas… You belong on the cross for your sins, but Jesus paid that cost for YOU! He sacrificed Himself for you so that you can spend eternal life with Him. 

Imagine being one of Jesus’ disciples and hearing Him say that statement. The person you look up to the most, telling you that He will be crucified in the worst way imaginable, and you can’t do anything to help Him. In today’s message, Pastor Dan explains that Jesus always knew He had to be killed, as the prophecies say. As terrifying as this sounds, He died for YOU! His blood saved you from your sins, so that you can spend eternity in Heaven with Him. Praise God for His love for you!!

It’s often said that marriage is 50/50, but the reality is… It’s 100/100/100. Each spouse must give their all, and both must rely on God. Because of that, a husband and wife must be on the same team. In today’s message, Pastor Dan teaches that the strength in a Christian household comes from a couple who push each other to grow closer to the Lord. If you’re not married, look for that person who can challenge you to grow. If you are, be that person who draws your spouse closer to Jesus.

A core principle of leadership is delegation. It’s knowing your weaknesses and knowing how the strength of others can fill the gap. It’s relying on the skillset of professionals to do the task better than you can. It’s embracing the counsel of those who are experts in their field. In today’s message, Pastor Dan teaches that if you want the wisdom of God, then you need to delegate to Him. Know your weaknesses, and rely on God’s strength to overcome them. When you seek God’s wisdom, He will give it to you.

In the ancient Middle East, as in some places even today, if someone kills a member of your family, your family is required to avenge that death by spilling the blood of the killer or someone from his family. Today, Pastor Dan teaches us how God sought to institute justice in the Promised Land, at a time when there was no police force and no courts. Refuge cities were set up across Israel to protect the innocent from retribution. Are there things you can do to protect innocent people from harm today?

The 12 tribes of Israel never inhabited the entire territory God gave them. They failed to live in and utilize all the land inside the boundaries God had ordained for them. God’s chosen people got complacent and lazy, and they disobeyed God. Today, Pastor Dan asks you to reflect on your own walk of faith. As He did for Israel, God has set boundaries for you. Do you also only inhabit a small portion of a much larger territory that God wants to give you? Are there ways you might be hindering God’s work in your life?

As the tribes of Israel advanced into the Promised Land, God commanded them first to take the territory of Canaan, which Egypt had long possessed. Egypt would not be able to put up a fight because God had devastated them 40 years prior when He sent the plagues, followed by the destruction of their army in the Red Sea. Today, Pastor Dan tells us how God’s work in years past helped Israel succeed in the present. Trust that God is smoothing out the road ahead of you, too, as you move out in faith.

When someone tells you they’re going to do something for you—like call you, meet you at a certain time, or be there for you in a crisis—and they don’t follow through, it feels pretty lousy, doesn’t it?  It hurts when people break their promises. Today, Pastor Dan reminds you that God isn’t like that…at all. He doesn’t break His promises, because that’s just not in His character. Jesus said, “I will neither leave you nor forsake you.” Now, that’s a promise you can count on! What a great comfort that is! 

Most of us can readily remember our sins and beat ourselves up for things we’ve done or should have done, even after we’ve asked God for forgiveness, and even years later. Today, Pastor Dan brings us the good news that God isn’t like that at all. The Book of Numbers lists many locations where the Israelites disobeyed God or grumbled against Him. When we read about those places, we recall their failures. But God doesn’t. Because once He forgives you for your sins, He completely forgets them.  

Do you ever feel as if God is unaware of you? That He doesn’t know what’s going on with you, or doesn’t really care? As the Children of Israel travelled through the wilderness after fleeing Egypt, God had them record what happened to them, so they would know that God was with them the whole way. In today’s message, Pastor Dan wants you to know that God knows you; He knows your story—every place you’ve been, everything you’ve experienced, every failure, every victory, every struggle. All of it.

God’s gift of choice; a gift given out of love. God doesn't force us to do anything. He doesn't make us walk on the path He lays out for us; instead, He permits our choices. Sometimes we can fool ourselves into thinking that these decisions are God's will. Understand that when we force the things that we want to happen and step away from God's perfect will for us, we leave ourselves vulnerable to attacks from the enemy. Today, Pastor Dan teaches the difference between permissive will and God's will.  

We hear the word “strive,” and we think of the hard work that we’re willing to put into the things we love and want to achieve. The other side of “striving” is struggling; struggling to obtain something or to move forward in a better direction. We sometimes reach too far for things we’re not meant to have. In the end, causing ourselves more grief than we ever anticipated. Today, Pastor Dan teaches that if striving puts you in a place of despair, you may want to reevaluate the path you are walking.